Top Officers' Work Honored With Law Enforcement Award

BOCA RATON — When Florida Atlantic University Detective Wilfredo `Will' Hernandez isn't looking for a scofflaw on campus, he is often monitoring the school's computer network for hackers.

"People will infiltrate our system. They will gain unauthorized access, set up an account, and go out and attack other computer systems," said Hernandez, who has been on the university's police force since 1993. "Because we have the best, we're a big target. My job is to figure out where they're coming from."

Hernandez, considered a leader in computer-related crimes in South Florida, will be honored on Wednesday for his knowledge and expertise in his field. The award is the first for the FAU Police Department.

He is among 50 officers from Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties scheduled to receive the federal Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer Award.

"It's given to them for outstanding performance in specific investigations," said Marge Selige of the U.S. Attorney's Office, the award's sponsor.

The news of his selection caught Hernandez by surprise.

"I was wondering why would I, of anybody, have gotten an award like this," said Hernandez, who began his career in Opa-locka in 1981 and has worked for South Bay and Pahokee police departments. "I was wondering what was it in particular I did. I just think I do my job."

But, his bosses said, Hernandez is often called on by local and national agencies for his expertise. He teaches two computer courses at the police academy at Broward Community College. He also conducts seminars for the FBI, U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Customs.

"I think he is an excellent teacher," said Delray Beach police Detective John Young, who met a man while posing as an underage girl during an exercise in one of Hernandez's classes. Hernandez guided Young through an investigation that led to the man's arrest.

Hernandez developed a liking for computers out of frustration and determination.

He had just bought his first computer when he inadvertently deleted the programs from the hard drive. He called on friends who were computer literate.

"They would talk me through it, and I would sit at the computer and do it," said Hernandez, who is married and the father of five children. "And going through that process, you just learn."

Also receiving the award will be Delray Beach Police Officers John Donovan, Dwayne Fernandez, James Horrell and Adam Rosenthal for their work in the conviction of two drug dealers.

Two Boca Raton officers recently received similar honors from a different group.

Bethard, a seven-year department employee, has been part of Palm Beach County's Multi-agency Auto Theft Task Force for the past year. He was the lead investigator for an ongoing case involving businesspeople suspected of stealing cars. One of the suspects reportedly threatened to kill Bethard.

Holland, who has been on the force since November 1995, was recognized after he shot and killed a man suspected of running over a police officer and trying to run over another in two earlier incidents, reports say. The suspect led officers on a high-speed chase against traffic on Interstate 95 through Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach. When they cornered him, Holland fired after he saw the man reaching for a gun, reports say.

C. Ron Allen can be reached at crallen@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6611.